Fredrick Ouko a resident of Windsor speaking to the press on Wednesday. [Photo/Darren Bogoria]

Panic has gripped residents of flood prone areas within Garissa and neighboring Mororo, Tana River County following Tuesday’s announcement by Energy Cabinet Secretary (CS) Charles Keter that Masinga dam, one of the largest dams in the country will start overflowing anytime.

Keter in a press briefing said urged residents of Garissa, Hola, Garsen, and Bura to move to safer grounds in anticipation of floods. The Masinga dam feeds four other dams downstream which are already full.

According to Keter, once Kiambere dam overflows, it’s expected that it will take four days for the water to reach Garissa town and soon after the lower Tana delta.

A sport-check in flood prone areas close to the banks of River Tana showed that the residents have started packing their belongings to heed the government’s advice. They include Bulla Sheikh, Windsor, Bulla Punda, Bulla Iftin, Moror, Ziwani, and Bakuyu.

Those who spoke to the press said they were not ready this time round to take chances.

“Last time when KenGen issued the advisory majority of us ignored it only to pay dearly. We lost property worth millions of shillings. I would personally not wish the same to happen to me again,” said Fredrick Ouko a resident of Windsor.

“I'm focused on getting out although I don’t know where I am going. I have been looking for a rental house for the past two weeks and decided on Sunday to come back after the rains subsided. I am shocked that more devastating floods will occur any time,” he added.

Get breaking news from Garissa as they happen! WhatsApp the word Garissa to 0717410719

Thank you for reading my article! You have contributed to my success as a writer. The articles you choose to read on Hivisasa help to shape the future of news across Africa. -Darren Bogoria